Do You Need a People Mover
That Doubles as a Cargo Van?
You’re looking for a vehicle that checks the boxes for luxury and tech features, making it classy enough for driving around the shareholders or clients. Equally important, you need something that easily converts into the cargo-carrying van you need for the jobsite.
Here are some of options that match up to your specific criteria:
Genesis GV80
Genesis SUVs go a long way in illustrating the brand’s capability to compete in their competitive segments and their warranties are enticing–five-year/60,000-mile basic and 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain coverage far exceeds anything its competitors offer, and three years/36,000 miles of complimentary scheduled maintenance is included. The GV80 2.5T is available in rear- and all-wheel drive (AWD) starting at just under $50,000. The higher-performance 3.5T model is $10,000 more and comes only with AWD. It delivers 375 hp and nearly 400 lb-ft of torque.
Our Advanced model got the updated engine with AWD and added the third row for seven seats. A $5,200 Advanced Package and premium paint gave it a total price of $65,775. The second row with 40/20/40-split configuration folds and third row fold flat with the touch of a button and it’s good for towing 6,000 pounds.
Genesis GV70
GV70 shares some visual cues and the same engines as its larger GV80 sibling, but the GV70 is sportier-looking due to the raked roofline and wagon-like rear end that accentuates its length. Being lighter than its bigger brother, the same engine moves it a little quicker. Eight-speed automatic and AWD are standard. GV70 will only seat five and its rear seat space is rather limited, but we mention it here because cargo capacity at 28.9 is a huge plus. While Genesis packs it in with features already at the base level with MSRP at $52,600 for the 3.5T, our tester had the $5,000 Sport Advance Package and $4,900 Sport Prestige Package, topping its final price to just over $64K.
These vehicles prove you can get
-LUXURY
-SEATING FOR AS MANY AS YOU NEED
and
-CARGO-CARRYIKNG CAPABILITIES
…all in one smart package
Ford Expedition
The Ford Expedition’s interior is described as “cavernous” by one reviewer and it’s still named as a favorite among large SUVs by several. Body-on-frame construction offers plenty of ground clearance and its 3.5-liter turbocharged V6 engine has the muscle to cart the team over those unimproved land parcels you’re considering developing. Expedition has cargo capacity of 20.9 cubic feet behind the third row, 57.5 behind the second row and 104.6 cubes max when the second and third rows are folded flat. It can also tow up to 9,300 pounds when property equipped. Our mid-tier Limited 4×4 tester had seating for eight passengers plus plenty of upgrades with a base cost around $65K plus about $6K in options including a Texas Edition Package, panoramic vista roof, 360 camera, LED headlamps and enhanced Active Park Assist.
Lexus RX 450h
As pioneers of hybrid technology, Toyota and Lexus debuted the original luxury hybrid with the Lexus RX 450h over 15 years ago. The RX 450h is still top-rated among hybrid SUVs. It gets an estimated 30 mpg combined. So, if you’re a green builder and ride comfort is high on your list, this will be the one to consider. Those looking for quick acceleration will not be disappointed either, with the hybrid powertrain making 308 horsepower. With 18 cubic feet of cargo space, it’s not as roomy as some of the others, but it scores well on head- and legroom. The 40/20/40-split folding rear seats still qualify it for cargo, though folding the seats down is a manual process and does not deliver a completely flat load floor. To get third-row seating, you’d have to get the long-wheelbase RX 450L. Our tester was the 450h F Sport with two rows. The sporty version is mainly aesthetic, but it does have larger wheels and sport-tuned suspension dampers. Loaded up its price tag was right at $63K.
Chrysler Pacifica
Chrysler Pacifica is the stylish exception that breaks the stigma about minivans. It is, in fact, converting some SUV buyers over due to its superior people- and cargo-carrying capabilities. It has 41.1 inches of legroom up front, 39.0 inches in the second row, and 36.5 inches in Row 3. Cargo volume measures 32.3 cubic feet behind the third row, 87.5 cubic feet behind the second row, and 140.5 cubic feet with all the seats folded down. Pacifica is practical, yes, but it has all the latest SUV bells and whistles, plus its own special things like an integrated vacuum and Shtow n Go seating that easily fold into floor cubbies to create a flat floor. Pacificas 3.6-liter V-6 cranks out 287 hp and 262 lb-ft of torque sent via a nine-speed automatic for FWD or AWD.Our tester sported the range-topping trim levelPinnacle, delivering to the expectations of luxury buyers, and AWD for just under $55K.
